A/HRC/42/12 59. Chile congratulated Costa Rica for the ratification of the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Forms of Intolerance and the InterAmerican Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons. It highlighted the development of national policies for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 60. China welcomed the adoption by Costa Rica of the National Plan for Development and Public Investment and the National Strategy for Poverty Reduction 2015–2018. 61. Colombia welcomed the progress made by Costa Rica in the area of the rights of older persons and of persons with disabilities, particularly the establishment of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities. 62. The Congo commended Costa Rica for the adoption of the law establishing the national mechanism for the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and for its efforts to protect the environment. 63. Côte d’Ivoire welcomed the strengthening by Costa Rica of its institutional and legislative human rights framework, in particular the adoption of the national policy for a society free from racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, as well as its action plan 2015–2018. 64. Croatia welcomed the enactment of the National Policy for Effective Equality between Women and Men 2018–2030 and noted the commitment of Costa Rica to implement the Sustainable Development Goals and protect the rights of older persons. 65. Cuba noted the updating of the legislative and institutional framework of Costa Rica, particularly with regard to discrimination against women and indigenous peoples. 66. Denmark recognized the legal framework of Costa Rica for the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights, but noted that the bill on the autonomous development of indigenous peoples had been pending for more than 20 years. 67. The Dominican Republic recognized the commitment of Costa Rica to human rights, demonstrated by the ratification of several international human rights instruments. 68. Ecuador welcomed the Constitutional reform that recognized the multi-ethnic and multicultural nature of Costa Rica and the creation of the general mechanism for consultation with indigenous peoples. 69. Egypt commended the Government’s efforts to promote gender equality and to combat violence against women. It welcomed the establishment of the mechanism for consultation with indigenous people, and the efforts to integrate migrants and refugees into society. 70. El Salvador noted the creation by Costa Rica of the Inter-institutional Commission for Follow-up to and Implementation of International Human Rights Obligations and the reform of the Constitution recognizing the multi-ethnic and multicultural character of the country. 71. Fiji noted that Costa Rica had constitutionally recognized the right to a healthy environment and commended its leadership on norm-setting and implementing policies related to climate change, as well as its initiatives to include a gender perspective in environmental policies. 72. France welcomed the measures taken by Costa Rica to combat racism and discrimination and to improve respect of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, migrants and refugees. 73. Gabon appreciated the inclusion of the rights of rural women in the strategies and policies to promote gender equality. It welcomed the National Rural Development Plan and the efforts to prevent gender-based violence and the economic exploitation of children. 74. Georgia praised the ratification of international human rights instruments, the amendment of the Constitution to guarantee respect for cultural diversity and the establishment of the National Policy for Effective Equality between Women and Men. 7